Car-coupling.



W. E'. RICHARDS.

GAR GOPLING.

APPLIGAHON FILED 0011.14, 1912.

1,1 32,383. Patented Mair. 16, 1915.

` 2 SHEBTSSHERT l.

W. F. RICHARDS.

GAR GOUPLNG. APPL1GAT10N FILED 00114, 1912.

1,132,383. .x Patented Mar.`16,'1915.

`2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

flag. 4 /L WILLARD F. RICHARDS,

F DEPEW, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GOULD COUPLEB COMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

AR-COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

Application led October 14, 1912. Serial No. 725,575.

' New York, have invented a new and useful lmprovement in Car-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in r ilway car couplers, such as disclosed in. atent No. 1,015,052, granted Jan. 16, 1912, to E'. M. Maw, assignor, which have a vertically-movable gravity-actuated lock for the horizontally swinging knuckle; and are provided with lock-set means for retaining the lock in the raised or released position when it is actuated to unlock the knucklewhile the coupler is in connection with another coupler; and with a kicker or device which is actuated by the lock for throwing open the knuckle.

The object of the invention is to produce a car coupler having the advantageous features of said patented coupler, but the construction of which is improved in the several respects hereinafter specified and claimed f'or the purpose of making the coupler stronger and more durable; making it entirely reliable in action even after the parts have become `worn and loose from usage; and eliminating'as far as possible the labor and expense usually entailed in machining and grinding the parts when assembling them.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of two sheets: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a car coupler embodying the invention, showing the locked position of the parts. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan thereof in line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is transverse sectional elevation thereof. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof showing the lock in its-set or released position. Figs. 5 and 6 are, respectively, a sectional plan and transverse sectional elevavtion thereof showing the position of the parts when the. knuckle is open. Fig. 7 Vis a sectional elevation showing a different operating device for the lock.

A represents the drawhead, B the horizontally swinging knuckle, and C the knuckle locking device of the coupler. The

knuckle, as usual, is pivoted at one side of the head by a pin b and is provided with a tail b which extends rearwardly into the head for eng-agement` with the lock. The

knuckle tail has the usual lateral extension b2 adapted to engage a part of the adjacent l side wall of the head for relieving the knuckle pin from draft strains, and shoulders b3 adapted to strike the front wall lof the head to takethe buffing shocks. In

addition the lugs on the head through which the knuckle pin passes are provided, respectively, with bosses b4 b5. The upper boss b* projects downwardly into a cavity be in the top of the knuckle and the lower boss projects upwardly into a corresponding cavity in the bottom of theknuckle. The walls of these cavities are adapted to engage the' inner sides of the bosses b4, b5 to resist side. strain in an ontw-ard direction on the lmuckle pin in pulling, and to engage the outer sides of the bosses to resist side strain in an inward direction on the knuckle pin in buffing. The knuckle pin is thus relieved -from draft and bufling stresses in directions both longitudinally and laterally of the coupler, and a pin of smaller diameter than that ordinarily used can be employed. This enables the walls of the knuckle and its hinge lugs surrounding the pin holes to be made thicker and stronger without increasing the dimensions of the coupler. Stop shoulders bl, formed on the bosses b* b5, are adapted to be engaged by the ends of the outer walls of the cavities b@ in the knuckle, as indicated in Fig. 2, to-limit the outward swing of the knuckle. The knuckle is thus prevented from striking and injuring the a thin front edge ofthe side wall of the head. A shoulder or lug bs is also formed in the lower cornerl of the head adjacent to the' knuckle tail which projects into-a cavity b9 in the under side of the knuckle tail to further aid in relieving the knuckle pin from draft strains.

The locking device C, as in said patented coupler, is arranged in the rear central portion of the' coupler to slide vertically into and out of locking position between the tail of the knuckle and the' opposite side wall' c of the head, and consists of a guide block C anda combined locking and lockset block (l2 pivoted to'the guide block sovas to swing thereon to a limited extent. The locking block,instead of swinging longitudinally of is suspended, and an upright rear portion c2 which extends downwardly in rear of the locking block.

The locking and guide blocks can 'be pivotally connected in any suitable way, as for instance, by a hinge lug on the locking blocl; pivoted by a pin or rivet 03 in a recess in the upper portion of the guide block, but the pivot is so located as to cause the lower end of the locking block to swing by gravity over against the side wall o of the coupler head. The lock is confined and guided 1n its vertical movement between the front and rear walls of the head, the side wall c and vertical ribs al' d in the head opposite low top projection d2 into which the lock is adapted to be lifted and this is suitably shaped to assist Vin guiding the lock. The side wall c of the head retains the locking block upright when it is in its lower or locking position, but when the locking block is lifted clear of the knuckle tail in unlocking the knuckle, it will swing sidewise and rest on a ledge or shoulder E on theA side wall c, so as to retain the locking device in the released or lock-set position, as shown in Fig. 4. rlhe knuckle can then be swung open. When the knuckle is swung open the tail thereof is adapted to strike the rounded or cam-like lower inner corner e of the locking block, thereby swinging the block back to its upright position and disengaging it from the ledge E. The locking device when thus released settles on the tail of the knuckle, riding thereon and being supported thereby while the knuckle is being opened and when it is in the open position. When the tail is moved from beneath the lock in closing the knuckle, the lock drops between the knuckle tail and the side wall c and locks the knuckle. By' arranging the locking block to swing sidewise of the coupler as described, the proper operationof'the lock is rendered much more certain and reliable,

because if the knuckle should fail to disen-v gage the lock from the ledge E when being. opened, it will drag it off of the ledge when it is being closed since that portion of the knuckle tail on which the lock rests moves in a vdirection almost directlyaway .from the ledge E and it cannot nass by the depending inner corner e of the locking block. without dragging the block off of the ledge E.

The inner upright face of the locking block and the coperating face of the knuckle tail are preferably inclined slightly as shown, so that the locking block will wedge down betweenthe tail and the sidewall c' enough to hold the knuckle firmly. ln order to prevent the lock from wedging down so Vtightly as to cause it to stick and work hard in unlocking, the upper portion ide block C is made to project laterally eyond the locking block, as indithe lock either from above or from below.

As shown in Figs. 1 6, the operating means consists of a lifting rod Gr extending up through a hole g in the Hoor of the coupler i -head and connected at its upper end to the the side wall c. 1 The head has a horn or hollock'and at its lower end to a lever g which is suitably'fulcrumed below the head and has an arm g2 extending upwardly at one side of the coupler and adapted to be connect'ed to an operating rod (not shown) extending to the side of the car. Preferably, the lifting rod (ir has a knob or rounded portion g3 at its upperend loosely fitting in a correspondingly shaped socket g4 in the lower end of the upright rear portion of the guide block C and retained in the socket by the locking block.

Fig. 7 shows an overhead operating device consisting of a link G attached by an `eye or loop t to the upper portion of the guide block andpassing through a hole lz.

- in the top of the head for connection with the usual operating shaft or rod (not shown) on the car. When the overhead operating device is used, the lifting rod G and Ilever g are omitted, and when the latter are employed the link G and eye l1, are omitted and the hole is closed by a suitable plug or cover 71.2.

I represents a knuckle openingdevice or kicker for throwing the knuckle to its open position. This kicker preferably consists of a lever pivoted as by a pin z' in the upper portion of the coupler head so as to swing in o mit thevknuckle to be unlocked while in connection with another coupler. 4 When, however, it is desired'to throw the knuckle bpen the lock is lifted above thelock-s'et position and the upper portion of the guide block will then strike the kicker and swing it to the position shown in Fi 6, thereby throwingopen the knuckle.-v 'ghe pivot pin z' for the kicker is adapted to be inserted before the knuckle is put inz place, through the knuckle pin hole and a. notch z in the bottom of the upper boss b4. The kicker armees ranged as described works very-easily and are all large and of simple formland can be actuated with throw the knucklefully open. Itoperates much easier than a kicker arranged to swing y on a vertical pivot and it will not get out of l. 4place and cause trouble asl may possibly happen with a kicker pivoted on the lock.

i The coupler describedv is'very strong, durable and reliable in operation.'

can be assembled and will operate properl in? the condition-in which theyl are taken4 romqthe molds with but little grinding and without 1 machining. This materially facilitates the 'Y assembling of the -parts and reduces the cost of production of the coupler.l .i

I claim as my invention:

1. In a car coupler,.the .combination with' a drawhead, and a horizontally-swinging knuckle having a taill extending into :the drawhead, of a locking kle consisting of a guide block whichv yis movable vertically within the drawheadbelow the top thereofandis held fromtilting, and a. iockmg biock which is pivotally suspended from said ide block to swing toward and from the side wall of the draw- Vhead toward which the tail of the knuckle swings when opening the knuckle, a lifting device coperating with said guide block for' operating said locking device, said side wall 'of the draw head ed to restfor supporting the knuckle in raised position, its set position I with thel knuckle tail during the openin said locking block when in being raised by engagement movement thereof 'ato disengage the bloc kle consisting of a gui fva. drawhead, and a being frictionally drawn away from said ledge during the closing movement of said knuckle, substantially as set forth.

2. In a car coupler, the combination with horizontally swinging knuckle having a tail extending into the drawhead, of a lookin e block which is movable verticallyl in thedrawhead and has an L upright rear portion and an upper portion I pended from said extending forwardly from said rear portion, and a locking block which is pivotally susupper portion of the guide lookin front of saidrear portion thereof, and a seat in the drawhead onto which said locking blockis 4adapted to swing for supporting the locking device in raised position,.'substantially as set forth.

3. In a car coupler, thecombination with a drawhead, anda horizontally swinging knuckle-having a tail extending into the drawhead, of a locking device for the knuckle consisting'of a guide block which is movvable vertically in the drawhead and has an' upright rear portion and an upper portion extending forwardly from saidA rear portion,

very little exertion to which'is located at the The parts device for the-knucbeing provided with a ledge on which said locking block is adaptportion device for the knucldrawhead, of a lockin gui eblock which is movdrawhead and has an' upright portion and an upper portion exand a lockingI block which is pivotally suspended from said upper portion of the guide block in front of said rear portion thereof,

a seat inthe drawhead` onto which said lock- 'ing block is adapted to swinvfor supporting the locking device raised position, and

an operating device for the locking device lower portion of the coupler and is connected.`with said upright rear portionof the guide block, substantially as set forth.

'nij

4.1111 a car cou len-the combination with I a: drawhead,. an

a horizontally swinging knuckle having. a

tail extending into the drawhead, of a locking device for the knuckleconsisting of'a guide block'which is. mov- 4 ,able vertically inthe drawhead and a coinbined locking. andk lock set blockwhicli is pivoted to said guide block, and a seat onto which saidlocking. and lock set block is adapted to swing for supporting the lookin device lin raised position, said locking an lock set block being adapted to wedge in be- I tween the knuckle tail and part ofthe drawhead for locking the knuckle, and said guide block having a part adapted to engage theV .knuckle forlimitin said wedgin action of the lookin and loc set block, su stantially as set forti. i 1 5. In a car cou a vdrawhead, an

knuckle having a tail y drawhead, of a lookin device for the knuckle consistingr of a gui e block which is movable vertical y in the drawhead and has an vuprightportion and lan upper portion extending laterally .from said upright portion, and a locking block which is pivotally ler, the combination with suspended from said upper portion of thean operating device for the locking device whichiis located at the lower of the coupler and extends upwardly at one side of the locking block and engagesl the upwardly extending portion of 'said guide block, substantially as set forth.

6. In a car coupler, the combination with a drawhead, and a horizontally swinging knuckle having. a tail extending into the guide block, and

kle consisting of a able verticallyin the tending laterally from lsaid uprightI portion,

a horizontally swinging extending into the.'

device for the knucv lock and 'having anenentering a socket in said upkle consisting of a-guide block which is mov* 13o i able vertically in the draWhead and has an upright portion and an upper portion extending laterally from said upright portion, and a locking block Which is pivotally suspended from said upper portion of the guide block, and an operating device for the locking device including a rod extending at one side of the locking block and having a portion entering a recess in said upright portion of the guide block and held in place therein by said locking block.

8. Ina car coupler, the combination with a drawhead, and a horizontally-swinging knuckle .having a tail extending into the drawhead, of a locking device for the knuckle consisting of a guide block Which is movable vertically Within the draWhead below the top thereof, said dravvhead having an in- WILLARD F. RICHARDS. Witnesses:

DONALD C. DAVIS, ALLEN B. BRIMMER. 

